The way to solve problems is to look at them logically.
Since you have this problem with either headphones or speakers, it is obviously something in the components and NOT the room. While the room acoustics may not be the greatest, the use of headphones remove that part of the problem from the equation.
While you did say that you tried different interconnects, you never specified what you tried. You might have made a lateral or backwards step that showed no difference. My first guess would be to rid yourself of the "super silver" interconnects. While MOST silver tends to highlight upper frequencies, these specfic cables might not. I'm not familiar with them, but it seems a good place to start. If they are "peaky" in the top end, this would give you the problem on either the speakers OR headphones.
The MSB is also not known for producing the smoothest of highs. That piece has always come across as sounding very "transistor" to me. Combine this with a "bright" cable and you might have "ear bleeds" on some particular recordings. This would also give you problems on both the speakers and headphones.
While the next comment does not affect both aspects of your problem, it is something to think about. While i'm not familiar with the model Paradigm's that you have, do you know if they use a metal dome tweeter ? Some metal domes just can't be "tamed" other than to use components and cables with a VERY soft top end. Some tube gear benefits from using metal domes as it adds the "brilliance" that the otherwise "smooth" tubes lack.
Other than those basic suggestions, i am at a loss of where else to go. Sean
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Since you have this problem with either headphones or speakers, it is obviously something in the components and NOT the room. While the room acoustics may not be the greatest, the use of headphones remove that part of the problem from the equation.
While you did say that you tried different interconnects, you never specified what you tried. You might have made a lateral or backwards step that showed no difference. My first guess would be to rid yourself of the "super silver" interconnects. While MOST silver tends to highlight upper frequencies, these specfic cables might not. I'm not familiar with them, but it seems a good place to start. If they are "peaky" in the top end, this would give you the problem on either the speakers OR headphones.
The MSB is also not known for producing the smoothest of highs. That piece has always come across as sounding very "transistor" to me. Combine this with a "bright" cable and you might have "ear bleeds" on some particular recordings. This would also give you problems on both the speakers and headphones.
While the next comment does not affect both aspects of your problem, it is something to think about. While i'm not familiar with the model Paradigm's that you have, do you know if they use a metal dome tweeter ? Some metal domes just can't be "tamed" other than to use components and cables with a VERY soft top end. Some tube gear benefits from using metal domes as it adds the "brilliance" that the otherwise "smooth" tubes lack.
Other than those basic suggestions, i am at a loss of where else to go. Sean
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